LED-Based Light with Addressed LEDS

ABSTRACT

An LED-based replacement light comprises multiple LEDs, the LEDs having different logical control addresses associated among them, with each logical control address subjecting one or more of the LEDs associated therewith to individual control; a controller in communication with the LEDs, the controller configured to generate signals that individually control the operating states of the one or more LEDs associated with each logical control address; a housing for the LEDs; and a connector disposed at an end of the housing, the connector shaped for connection with a light socket.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/598,375, filed Jan. 16, 2015 which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/930,170, filed Jan. 22, 2014,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a light emitting diode(LED)-based light for replacing a fluorescent light in a standardfluorescent light fixture.

BACKGROUND

Fluorescent lights are widely used in a variety of locations, such asschools and office buildings. Although conventional fluorescent lightshave certain advantages over, for example, incandescent lights, theyalso pose certain disadvantages including, inter alia, disposal problemsdue to the presence of toxic materials within the light.

LED-based lights designed as one-for-one replacements for fluorescentlights have appeared in recent years. These LED-based lights are oftendesigned to achieve a general lighting outcome compatible with a varietyof lighting fixtures and lighting applications. However, it may bedesirable to design an LED-based light capable of generate multipledifferent lighting outcomes.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are embodiments of LED-based light and systems forcontrolling LED-based lights.

In one aspect, an LED-based replacement light includes multiple LEDs, acontroller in communication with the LEDs, a housing for the LEDs and aconnector. The LEDs have different logical control addresses associatedamong them, with each logical control address subjecting one or more ofthe LEDs associated therewith to individual control. The controller isconfigured to generate signals that individually control the operatingstates of the one or more LEDs associated with each logical controladdress. The connector is disposed at an end of the housing and isshaped for connection with a light socket.

In another aspect, an LED-based replacement light includes one or morefirst LEDs, one or more second LEDs, a housing for the first LEDs andthe second LEDs and a connector. The first LEDs are associated with afirst logical control address subjecting them to individual control, andhave a first spatial distribution profile when controlled to an ONstate. The second LEDs are associated with a second logical controladdress subjecting them to individual control, and are in opticalcommunication with at least one optical device shaped to modify thelight emanating therefrom when controlled to an ON state and achieve asecond spatial distribution profile different from the first spatialdistribution profile. The connector is disposed at an end of thehousing, the connector shaped for connection with a light socket.

In yet another aspect, an LED-based replacement light includes anelongate circuit board, multiple LEDs mounted along the length of thecircuit board, a controller in communication with the LEDs, an elongatehousing for the circuit board and the LEDs and a pair of end capsdisposed at opposing ends of the housing. The LEDs have differentlogical control addresses associated among them, with each logicalcontrol address subjecting one or more LEDs associated therewith toindividual control. The controller is configured to generate signalsthat individually control of the operating states of the one or moreLEDs associated with each logical control address. Each end cap includesa connector shaped for connection with a fluorescent light socket.

These and other aspects will be described in additional detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatusand systems will become more apparent by referring to the followingdetailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an example of an LED-based lightwith individually addressed LEDs;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the LED-based light of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram depicting examples of architecturesfor controlling the operation of one or more of the LED-based lights ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is one representative example of the LED-based light whereindividually addressed LEDs are controlled to emit light at differentintensities;

FIG. 5 is another representative example of the LED-based light whereindividually addressed LEDs are configured to emit light at differentcolors or color temperatures;

FIG. 6 is another representative example of the LED-based light wheredifferent optical structures are associated with respective of theindividually addressed LEDs;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the LED-based light according to FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a representative example of the LED-based light according toFIG. 6 where the individually addressed LEDs are controlled to emitlight at different intensities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates to LED-based lights with addressed LEDs. In thedisclosed LED-based lights, the LEDs are assigned with different logicalcontrol addresses. In the example implementations, the operating stateof the LEDs assigned with one logical control address can be controlledindividually from the operating state of LEDs assigned with anotherlogical control address. By controlling the operating states of the LEDsin different combinations, multiple lighting outcomes can be generatedwith the LED-based light to suite different lighting applications.Control over the LED-based light can be coordinated with the control oflike LED-based lights to generate even more variety in possible lightingoutcomes.

An example of an LED-based light 10 for replacing a conventional lightin a standard light fixture is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 and explained in greater detail below, the LED-based lightincludes a plurality of light producing LEDs 34. In the followingdescription, the identifier “34” is used to reference one or more of theLEDs 34 generally, while a specific identifier (e.g., “34A”) is used toreference a specific individual LED 34 or a specific group of LEDs 34 asneeded to facilitate discussion. The LED-based light 10 includes ahousing 12 and has a pair of end caps 20 positioned at the ends of thehousing 12. An LED circuit board 30 including the LEDs 34 and a powersupply circuit board 32 are arranged within the housing 12.

The housing 12 of the LED-based light 10 can generally define a singlepackage sized for use in a standard fluorescent light fixture. In theillustrated example, the pair of end caps 20 is attached at opposinglongitudinal ends of the housing 12 for physically connecting theLED-based light 10 to a light fixture. As shown, each end cap 20 carriesan electrical connector 18 configured to physically connect to the lightfixture. The electrical connectors 18 can be the sole physicalconnection between the LED-based light 10 and the light fixture. Oneexample of a light fixture for the LED-based light 10 is a trofferdesigned to accept conventional fluorescent lights, such as T5, T8 orT12 fluorescent tube lights. These and other light fixtures for theLED-based light 10 can include one or more sockets adapted for physicalengagement with the electrical connectors 18. Each of the illustratedelectrical connectors 18 is a bi-pin connector including two pins 22.Bi-pin electrical connectors 18 are compatible with many fluorescentlight fixtures and sockets, although other types of electricalconnectors can be used, such as a single pin connector or a screw typeconnector.

The light fixture can connect to a power source, and at least one of theelectrical connectors 18 can additionally electrically connect theLED-based light 10 to the light fixture to provide power to theLED-based light 10. In this example, each electrical connector 18 caninclude two pins 22, although two of the total four pins can be “dummypins” that provide physical but not electrical connection to the lightfixture. The light fixture can optionally include a ballast forelectrically connecting between the power source and the LED-based light10.

While the illustrated housing 12 is cylindrical, a housing having asquare, triangular, polygonal, or other cross sectional shape canalternatively be used. Similarly, while the illustrated housing 12 islinear, housings having an alternative shape, e.g., a U-shape or acircular shape can alternatively be used. The LED-based light 10 canhave any suitable length. For example, the LED-based light 10 may beapproximately 48″ long, and the housing 12 can have a 0.625″, 1.0″ or1.5″ diameter for engagement with a standard fluorescent light fixture.

The housing 12 can be formed by attaching multiple individual parts, notall of which need be light transmitting. For example, illustratedexample of the housing 12 is formed in part by attaching a lens 14 atleast partially defining the housing 12 to an opaque lower portion 16.The illustrated housing 12 has a generally bipartite configurationdefining a first cavity 50 between the lower portion 16 and the lens 14sized and shaped for housing the LED circuit board 30 and a secondcavity 60 defined by the lower portion 16 sized and shaped for housingthe power supply circuit board 32.

As shown, the lower portion 16 defines an LED mounting surface 52 forsupporting the LED circuit board 30. The LED mounting surface 52 can besubstantially flat, so as to support a flat underside of the LED circuitboard 30 opposite the LEDs 34. After attachment of the lens 14 to thelower portion 16 during assembly of the LED-based light 10, the LEDcircuit board 30 is positioned within the first cavity 50 and adjacentthe lens 14, such that the LEDs 34 of the LED circuit board 30 areoriented to illuminate the lens 14.

The illustrated lower portion 16 has a tubular construction to definethe second cavity 60, although the lower portion 16 could be otherwiseconfigured to define a cavity configured for housing the power supplycircuit board 32. The LED-based light 10 can include features forsupporting the power supply circuit board 32 within the second cavity60. For example, as shown, an end cap 20 may include channels 62configured to slidably receive outboard portions of an end 32a of thepower supply circuit board 32. It will be understood that the channels62 are provided as a non-limiting example and that the power supplycircuit board 32 may be otherwise and/or additionally supported withinthe second cavity 60.

The lower portion 16 may be constructed from a thermally conductivematerial and configured as a heat sink to enhance dissipation of heatgenerated by the LEDs 34 during operation to an ambient environmentsurrounding the LED-based light 10. In the exemplary LED-based light 10,an LED mounting surface 52 of the lower portion 16 is thermally coupledto the LEDs 34 through the LED circuit board 30, and the remainder ofthe lower portion 16 defines a heat transfer path from the LED mountingsurface 52 to the ambient environment.

The lower portion 16 and the lens 14 may each include complementarystructures permitting for attachment of the lens 14 to the lower portion16 to define the first cavity 50. For example, as shown, the lowerportion 16 may include a pair of hooked projections 54 for retaining acorresponding pair of projections 56 of the lens 14. The projections 56of the lens 14 can be slidably engaged with the hooked projections 54 ofthe lower portion 16, or can be snap fit to the hooked projections 54.The hooked projections 54 can be formed integrally with the lowerportion 16 by, for example, extruding the lower portion 16 to includethe hooked projections 54. Similarly, the projections 56 can be formedintegrally with the lens 14 by, for example, extruding the lens 14 toinclude the projections 56. The hooked projections 54 and projections 56can extend the longitudinal lengths of the lower portion 16 and the lens14, respectively, although a number of discrete hooked projections 54and/or projections 56 could be used to couple the lens 14 to the lowerportion 16. Alternatively, the lower portion 16 could be otherwiseconfigured for attachment with the lens 14. For example, the lens 14could be clipped, adhered, snap- or friction-fit, screwed or otherwiseattached to the lower portion 16.

Alternatively to the illustrated housing 12, the housing 12 can includea light transmitting tube at least partially defined by the lens 14. Thelens 14 can be made from polycarbonate, acrylic, glass or other lighttransmitting material (i.e., the lens 14 can be transparent ortranslucent). The term “lens” as used herein means a light transmittingstructure, and not necessarily a structure for concentrating ordiverging light.

The LED-based light 10 can include features for distributing the lightproduced by the LEDs 34 to, for example, emulate in full or in part theuniform light distribution of a conventional fluorescent light. Forinstance, the lens 14 can be manufactured to include light diffusingstructures, such as ridges, dots, bumps, dimples or other unevensurfaces formed on an interior or exterior of the lens 14. The lightdiffusing structures can be formed integrally with the lens 14, forexample, by molding or extruding, or the structures can be formed in aseparate manufacturing step such as surface roughening. Alternatively,the material from which the lens 14 is formed can include lightrefracting particles. For example, the lens 14 can be made from acomposite, such as polycarbonate, with particles of a light refractingmaterial interspersed in the polycarbonate. In addition to or as analternative to these light diffusing structures, a light diffusing filmcan be applied to the exterior of the lens 14 or placed in the housing12.

The LED-based light 10 can include other features for distributing lightproduced by the LEDs 34. For example, the lens 14 can be manufacturedwith structures to collimate light produced by the LEDs 34. The lightcollimating structures can be formed integrally with the lens 14, forexample, or can be formed in a separate manufacturing step. In additionto or as an alternative to manufacturing the lens 14 to include lightcollimating structures, a light collimating film can be applied to theexterior of the lens 14 or placed in the housing 12.

In yet other embodiments, the LEDs 34 can be over molded or otherwiseencapsulated with light transmitting material configured to distributelight produced by the LEDs 34. For example, the light transmittingmaterial can be configured to diffuse, refract, collimate and/orotherwise distribute the light produced by the LEDs 34. The over moldedLEDs 34 can be used alone to achieve a desired light distribution forthe LED-based light 10, or can be implemented in combination with thelens 14 and/or films described above.

The above described or other light distributing features can beimplemented uniformly or non-uniformly along a length and/orcircumference of the LED-based light 10. These features are provided asnon-limiting examples, and in other embodiments, the LED-based light 10may not include any light distributing features.

The LED circuit board 30 can include at least one LED 34, a plurality ofseries-connected or parallel-connected LEDs 34, an array of LEDs 34 orany other arrangement of LEDs 34. Each of the illustrated LEDs 34 caninclude a single diode or multiple diodes, such as a package of diodesproducing light that appears to an ordinary observer as coming from asingle source. The LEDs 34 can be surface-mount devices of a typeavailable from Nichia, although other types of LEDs can alternatively beused. For example, the LED-based light 10 can include high-brightnesssemiconductor LEDs, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), semiconductordies that produce light in response to current, light emitting polymers,electro-luminescent strips (EL) or the like. The LEDs 34 can emit whitelight. However, LEDs that emit blue light, ultra-violet light or otherwavelengths of light can be used in place of or in combination withwhite light emitting LEDs 34.

The orientation, number and spacing of the LEDs 34 can be a function ofa length of the LED-based light 10, a desired lumen output of theLED-based light 10, the wattage of the LEDs 34, a desired lightdistribution for the LED-based light 10 and/or the viewing angle of theLEDs 34.

The LEDs 34 can be fixedly or variably oriented in the LED-based light10 for facing or partially facing an environment to be illuminated whenthe LED-based light 10 is installed in a light fixture. Alternatively,the LEDs 34 can be oriented to partially or fully face away from theenvironment to be illuminated. In this alternative example, theLED-based light 10 and/or a light fixture for the LED-based light 10 mayinclude features for reflecting or otherwise redirecting the lightproduced by the LEDs into the environment to be illuminated.

For a 4841 LED-based light 10, the number of LEDs 34 may vary from aboutthirty to three hundred such that the LED-based light 10 outputs between1,500 and 3,000 lumens. However, a different number of LEDs 34 canalternatively be used, and the LED-based light 10 can output any otheramount of lumens.

The LEDs 34 can be arranged in a single longitudinally extending rowalong a central portion of the LED circuit board 30 as shown, or can bearranged in a plurality of rows or arranged in groups. The LEDs 34 canbe spaced along the LED circuit board 30 and arranged on the LED circuitboard 30 to substantially fill a space along a length of the lens 14between end caps 20 positioned at opposing longitudinal ends of thehousing 12. The spacing of the LEDs 34 can be determined based on, forexample, the light distribution of each LED 34 and the number of LEDs34. The spacing of the LEDs 34 can be chosen so that light output by theLEDs 34 is uniform or non-uniform along a length of the lens 14. In oneimplementation, one or more additional LEDs 34 can be located at one orboth ends of the LED-based light 10 so that an intensity of light outputat the lens 14 is relatively greater at the one or more ends of the LED-based light 10. Alternatively, or in addition to spacing the LEDs 34 asdescribed above, the LEDs 34 nearer one or both ends of the LED-basedlight 10 can be configured to output relatively more light than theother LEDs 34. For instance, LEDs 34 nearer one or both ends of theLED-based light 10 can have a higher light output capacity and/or can beprovided with more power during operation.

The LED-based light 10 may be configured for permitting individualcontrol over the operating states of the LEDs 34. For example, differentLEDs 34 of the LED-based light 10 may be assigned with differentrespective logical control addresses. According to a non-limitingexample indicated in FIG. 1, for instance, different logical controladdresses may be assigned among the LEDs 34A, B, C, D, E, etc. With theLEDs 34 of the LED-based light 10 assigned with different logicalcontrol addresses, individual control can be exercised over theoperating states of those of the LEDs 34 assigned with a respectivelogical control address.

In the examples that follow, each of the LEDs 34 of the LED-based light10 is assigned with a logical control address. However, it will beunderstood that, consistently with these examples, some of the LEDs 34of the LED-based light 10 need not be assigned with a logical controladdress. Such LEDs 34, if any, may be controlled in a conventionalmanner.

According to one non-limiting example of the LED-based light 10, each ofthe LEDs 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, etc. of the LED-based light 10 may beassigned with a respective logical control address. In other examples ofthe LED-based light 10, one, some or all of the different logicalcontrol addresses could be assigned to a group of multiple of the LEDs34. For example, some of the LEDs 34 may be grouped for assignment witha single logical control address according to the location of the LEDs34 with respect to one another or with respect to the LED-based light10, differences between the configurations of the LEDs 34, or both. Forinstance, one or more groups of LEDs 34 assigned with respective logicalcontrol addresses can correspond to zones of the LED-based light 10and/or to sequential patterns within the LEDs 34 of the LED-based light10. Moreover, one or more groups of LEDs 34 assigned with respectivelogical control addresses can additionally or alternatively correspondto the properties of the light emitted from the LEDs 34 or of the lightemanating from the LED-based light 10 upon operation of the LEDs 34. Inthese or other examples of the LED-based light 10, a group of LEDs 34assigned with a logical control address may, for instance, be or includetwo or more adjacent or non-adjacent LEDs 34.

The power supply circuit board 32 can be positioned within the housing12 adjacent the electrical connector 18. The power supply circuit board32 can also be positioned in other suitable locations (e.g., external tothe LED-based light 10, within one or both of the end caps 20, etc.).The power supply circuit board 32 has power supply circuitry configuredto condition an input power received from, for example, the lightfixture through the electrical connector 18, to a power usable by andsuitable for the LEDs 34. In some implementations, the power supplycircuit board 32 can include one or more of an inrush protectioncircuit, a surge suppressor circuit, a noise filter circuit, a rectifiercircuit, a main filter circuit, a current regulator circuit and a shuntvoltage regulator circuit. The power supply circuit board 32 can besuitably designed to receive a wide range of currents and/or voltagesfrom a power source and convert them to a power usable by the LEDs 34.

The LED-based light 10 may require a number of electrical connections toconvey power between the various illustrated spatially distributedelectrical assemblies included in the LED-based light 10, such as theLED circuit board 30, the power supply circuit board 32 and theelectrical connector 18. These connections can be made using a circuitconnector header 40 and a pin connector header 42, as shown in FIG. 2.In particular, when the LED-based light 10 is assembled, the circuitconnector header 40 may be arranged to electrically couple the LEDcircuit board 30 to the power supply circuit board 32, and the pinconnector header 42 may be arranged to electrically couple the powersupply circuit board 32 to the pins 22 of an end cap 20.

As shown, the LED circuit board 30 and the power supply circuit board 32are vertically opposed and spaced with respect to one another within thehousing 12. The LED circuit board 30 and the power supply circuit board32 can extend a length or a partial length of the housing 12, and theLED circuit board 30 can have a length different from a length of thepower supply circuit board 32. For example, the LED circuit board 30 cangenerally extend a substantial length of the housing 12, and the powersupply circuit board 32 can extend a partial length of the housing.However, it will be understood that the LED circuit board 30 and/or thepower supply circuit board 32 could be alternatively arranged within thehousing 12, and that the LED circuit board 30 and the power supplycircuit board 32 could be alternatively spaced and/or sized with respectto one another.

The LED circuit board 30 and the power supply circuit board 32 areillustrated as elongate printed circuit boards. Multiple circuit boardsections can be joined by bridge connectors to create the LED circuitboard 30 and/or power supply circuit board 32. Also, other types ofcircuit boards may be used, such as a metal core circuit board. Further,the components of the LED circuit board 30 and the power supply circuitboard 32 could be in a single circuit board or more than two circuitboards.

In the LED-based light 10, the operating states of the LEDs 34 assignedwith each logical control address can be controlled individually fromthe operating states of the LEDs 34 assigned with other logical controladdresses. For example, each of the one or more LEDs 34 assigned with agiven logical control address can be selectively driven to an OFF state,where the LEDs 34 do not emit light, or to an ON state. The LEDs 34 maybe driven in the ON state to emit light at a full operational intensity,for example. The full operational intensity of light can correspond tothe absolute light output capacity for the LEDs 34, for instance, or tothe light output capacity for the LEDs 34 under nominal operatingconditions. Optionally, in the ON state, the LEDs 34 may be driven toemit light at one or more intermediate intensities. The LEDs 34according to these examples may also, for example, be intermittentlydriven between an OFF state and an ON state.

One or more controllers may be provided in communication with the LEDs34 for controlling the operating states of the LEDs 34 assigned witheach logical control address. As shown in FIG. 3, for instance, theLED-based light 10 may include a controller 100 in communication withthe LEDs 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E, etc. In one implementation of theLED-based light 10, the controller 100 may be configured to generaterespective control signals for controlling the operating states of theLEDs 34 assigned with each logical control address. In an alternativeimplementation including multiple of the LED-based lights 10, respectivecontrollers 100 may act as slaves to a central controller 150 configuredto generate control signals to coordinate the operations of theLED-based lights 10.

The ability to control the operating states of the LEDs 34 assigned witha logical control address individually from the operating states of theLEDs 34 assigned with other logical control addresses creates theopportunity to generate a variety of different lighting outcomes withthe LED-based light 10. Differences between lighting outcomes can bedefined, for example, with respect to the spatial, spectral and/ortemporal aspects of the light emanating from the LED-based light 10 uponoperation of the LEDs 34. Differences between lighting outcomes can begenerated with examples of the LED-based light 10 where each of the LEDs34 are similarly configured, or where there are variations among theconfigurations of the LEDs 34. Optionally, in furtherance of creatingthe opportunity to generate a variety of different lighting outcomes,the LED-based light 10 may incorporate optical structures to alter theproperties of the light emitted from one, some or all of the LEDs 34, orof the light emanating from the LED-based light 10 upon operation of theLEDs 34.

FIGS. 4-8 depict specific non-limiting examples of LED-based lights 10configured, implemented and/or controlled according to the foregoinggeneral description.

In some example implementations of the LED-based light 10, differencesbetween lighting outcomes can be generated in whole or in part throughthe selective and individual control over the intensity of light emittedfrom the LEDs 34.

The LEDs 34, for example, may be selectively driven to vary theintensity of light emanating along the length of the LED-based light 10.For instance, the LEDs 34 along one half of the LED-based light 10 couldbe driven in an ON state to emit light, and the LEDs 34 along the otherhalf of the LED-based light 10 could be driven in an OFF state,resulting in light being emanating from only half of the LED-based light10.

The LEDs 34 may also, for instance, be selectively driven to generatedifferent gradients of light emanating from the LED-based light 10 uponoperation of the LEDs 34. In the example according to FIG. 4, each ofthe LEDs 34 is driven in an ON state to emit light, with the LEDs 34nearer the ends of the LED-based light 10 (only one end is shown)emitting light at a relatively higher intensity than the remaining LEDs34 toward a center of the LED-based light 10. As shown, a resultinggradient of light 200 emanating from the LED-based light 10 is generallydog boned shaped in a plane including the axes of the LEDs 34. The dogbone shaped gradient of light 200 could be useful, for instance, in alighting application where the LED-based light 10 is installed across anaisle and it is desirable not only to illuminate the aisle generally butalso to wash the walls of the aisle with light. In otherimplementations, multiple LED-based lights 10 could be installed acrossa larger aisle, and the operations of the multiple of the LED-basedlights 10 could be coordinated to generate the dog bone shaped gradientof light 200. This implementation could be useful, for instance, in aparking garage in order to provide relatively more light along the sidesof the aisles above parked cars, and relatively less light along a mainpassageway receiving light from the headlamps of passing cars. Althoughthe dog bone shaped gradient of light 200 is depicted and described inaccordance with certain non-limiting examples, it will be understoodthat other implementations of one or more LED-based lights 10 could beused, and other control schemes could be applied, to support thegeneration of many other lighting outcomes exhibiting alternativegradients of light.

In some example implementations of the LED-based light 10, differencesbetween lighting outcomes can be generated in whole or in part byexploiting variations among the configurations of the LEDs 34. Where theLED-based light 10 includes LEDs 34 with different configurations, itwill be understood that multiple LEDs 34 with a common configurationcould be assigned with respective logical control addresses, forexample, or could be grouped for assignment with a single logicalcontrol address.

The LED-based light 10 of FIG. 5 includes one or more LEDs 34A, one ormore LEDs 34B and one or more LEDs 34C, which as generally indicated areeach configured to emit light with different properties. The differencesamong the properties could correspond to the color, the colortemperature and/or any other properties of the emitted light. Where thedifferences among the properties corresponds in whole or in part to thecolor of the emitted light, it will be understood that the LEDs 34 couldemit light of a same general color but at different respective hues(e.g., the LEDs 34A, 34B and LEDs 34C could emit different hues of whitelight).

In the example of the LED-based light 10 of FIG. 5, the LEDs 34A, 34Band 34C may be selectively driven to vary the color or the colortemperature, for example, of the light emanating from the LED-basedlight 10. For instance, in one example implementation, one of the LEDs34A, 34B or 34C may be selectively driven in an ON state to emit light,with the others of the LEDs 34A, 34B and 34C driven in an OFF state, togenerate a lighting outcome where the LED-based light 10 emanates lightaccording the properties of the LEDs 34A, 34B or 34C driven in an ONstate. In other example implementations, any combination of the LEDs34A, 34B and 34C may be selectively driven in an ON state to emit lightto support the generation of many other lighting outcomes exhibitingdifferent colors, color temperatures and/or other properties withrespect to the light emanating from the LED-based light 10.

In some example implementations of the LED-based light 10, differencesbetween lighting outcomes can be generated in whole or in part byoutfitting the LED-based light 10 with optical structures to alter theproperties of the light emitted from one, some or all of the LEDs 34, orof the light emanating from the LED-based light 10.

For instance, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the LED-based light 10 mayinclude optical structures 210A associated with one or more LEDs 34A andoptical structures 210B associated with one or more LEDs 34B.Optionally, one or more LEDs 34C can operate without an opticalstructure altering the properties of the light emitted from the LEDs34C. As generally indicated, the optical structures 210A are configuredto direct light emitted from respective LEDs 34A in a first direction tothe side of the LED-based light 10, while the optical structures 210Bare configured to direct light emitted from respective LEDs 34B in asecond direction to an opposing side of the LED-based light 10. Althoughthe description follows with general reference to alteration of thespatial aspects of the light emitted from the LEDs 34A and 34B, it willbe understood that the optical structures 210A and 210B could beadditionally configured to modify, for instance, the spectral aspects ofthe emitted light.

As shown, each of the optical structures 210A and 210B is over-moldedonto respective LEDs 34A and 34B, although the optical structures 210Aand 210B could be otherwise arranged within the LED-based light 10,either as standalone structures or incorporated into another structureof the LED-based light 10, such as the lens 12. In a non-limitingexample, each of the optical structures 210A and 210B could be, orinclude, a lens, for instance. In another non-limiting example, each ofthe optical structures 210A and 210B could be, or include, a light pipe,for instance. According to these or other examples, an optical structure210A or 210B could alternatively be associated with more than onerespective LED 34A or 34B. It will be understood that multiple LEDs 34associated with a common type of optical structure, or multiple LEDS 34not associated with an optical structure, could be assigned withrespective logical control addresses, for example, or could be groupedfor assignment with a single logical control address.

In example implementations of the LED-based light 10 according to FIGS.6 and 7, one or more of the LEDs 34A, 34B and 34C may be selectivelydriven in an ON state to emit light to generate lighting outcomes wherethe LED-based light 10 emanates light in on or more of the firstdirection to one side of the LED-based light 10, the second direction toan opposing side of the LED-based light 10 or radially from theLED-based light 10. The ability to selectively drive the LEDs 34A and/orLEDs 34B could be useful, for instance, in a lighting application wherethe LED-based light 10 is installed in a cove or other structure to washa wall to the side of the LED-based light 10 with light.

It will be understood that the principles described with reference tothe foregoing example implementations of the LED-based light 10 are notmutually exclusive. That is, an LED-based light 10 may embody anycombination of variations among the configurations of the LEDs 34,optical structures to alter the properties of the light emitted fromone, some or all of the LEDs 34, the ability to selectively andindividually control the intensity of light emitted from the LEDs 34,and other features supporting the generation of a variety of differentlighting outcomes.

FIG. 8, for instance, depicts an implementation of the LED-based light10 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 where the LEDs 34A and 34B, and optionallythe LEDs 34C, are selectively driven in an ON state to emit light, andwhere in addition, the LEDs 34 nearer the ends of the LED-based light 10(only one end is shown) are driven to emit light at a relatively higherintensity than the remaining LEDs 34 toward a center of the LED-basedlight 10. As shown, a resulting gradient of light 220 emanating from theLED-based light 10 is generally dog boned shaped in a plane normal toaxes of the LEDs 34.

While recited characteristics and conditions of the invention have beendescribed in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodimentsbut, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications andequivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of theappended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. An LED-based lighting device, comprising: one ormore first LEDs associated with a first logical control address; one ormore first optical devices configured to distribute light emanating fromthe one or more first LEDs in a first way; one or more second LEDsassociated with a second logical control address; one or more secondoptical devices configured to distribute light emanating from the one ormore second LEDs in a second way different than the first way; acontroller in communication with the one or more first LEDs and the oneor more second LEDs, wherein the controller configured to generate: afirst control signal to individually control operating states of the oneor more first LEDs, and a second control signal to individually controloperating states of the one or more second LEDs; a housing enclosing thefirst one or more first LEDs and the one or more second LEDs; and aconnector disposed at a first end of the housing, wherein the connectoris shaped for connection with a light socket.
 22. The LED-based lightingdevice of claim 21, wherein the LED-based replacement light isconfigured to emanate light from the one or more first LEDs according toa first spatial distribution profile, and emanate light from the one ormore second LEDs according to a second spatial distribution profiledifferent from the first spatial distribution profile.
 23. The LED-basedlighting device of claim 21, wherein the one or more first opticaldevices are associated with the first logical control address, andwherein the one or more second optical devices are associated withsecond logical control address.
 24. The LED-based lighting device ofclaim 21, wherein each of the one or more first optical devices isconfigured to direct light in a first common direction, and wherein eachof the one or more second optical devices is configured to direct lightin a second common direction different than the first common direction.25. The LED-based lighting device of claim 21, wherein at least onefirst optical device comprises a first over mold, and wherein at leastone second optical device comprises a second over mold.
 26. TheLED-based lighting device of claim 21, wherein at least one firstoptical device comprises a first lens, and wherein at least one secondoptical device comprises a second lens.
 27. The LED-based lightingdevice of claim 21, wherein at least one first optical device comprisesa first film, and wherein at least one second optical device comprises asecond light pipe.
 28. The LED-based lighting device of claim 21,wherein the LED-based lighting device is configured to emanate lightaccording to a spatial distribution profile, wherein the spatialdistribution profile has a greater light intensity along the first endof the housing than along a center of the housing.
 29. The LED-basedlighting device of claim 28, wherein the spatial distribution profilehas a greater light intensity along a second end of the housing thanalong the center of the housing, wherein the second end of the housingis opposite the first end of the housing.
 30. The LED-based lightingdevice of claim 29, wherein the spatial distribution profile has a dogbone shape in a plane normal to an axis of extension of the LED-basedlighting device.
 31. The LED-based lighting device of claim 21, whereinthe one or more first LEDs and the one more second LEDs alternate alongan axis of extension of the housing.
 32. The LED-based lighting deviceof claim 21, wherein the first and second optical devices are atalternating locations along an axis of extension of the housing.
 33. TheLED-based lighting device of claim 21, wherein the one or more firstLEDs are in optical communication with the one or more first opticaldevices, and not in optical communication with the one or more secondoptical devices, and wherein the one or more second LEDs are in opticalcommunication with the one or more second optical devices, and not inoptical communication with the one or more first optical devices. 34.The LED-based lighting device of claim 21, further comprising one ormore third LEDs associated with a third logical control address.
 35. TheLED-based lighting device of claim 34, wherein the one or more thirdLEDs are not in optical communication with the one or more first opticaldevices or the one or more second optical devices.